Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2008-09: Had a breakout year for Rimouski, scoring 72 points in 62 games.

2009-10: In his first pro season, Piche appeared in 9 AHL games with Grand Rapids with no points and 4 PIMs. He skated in 36 ECHL games with the Toledo Walleye, scoring 5 goals, 23 assists for 28 points. He added 2 assists in 4 playoff games.

2010-11: Piche spent most of his season on the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, playing in 48 games and scoring 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points. He also saw time with the Griffins where he put up 2 assists through 11 games.

Talent Analysis

Is an offensive-oriented defenseman. Piche does very well on the powerplay, as he has good puck control and possesses an impressive, strong shot. He also plays a steady defensive game when needed.

Future

Projects as a depth defenseman. Will really need to step up and show he can play at the pro level. Piche was dealt to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the deal that brought Kyle Quincey back to the Detroit Red Wings.

Size is often a highly coveted asset when measuring a player’s chances on a success at theNHL Entry Draft. Undersized players, especially defensemen, are often labeled with ‘too smallto succeed’ and other prejuidices. It is really almost impossible for a player that istoo small to handle the physical style of the NHL, where he faces lots of big, bruising forwards.That’s also the reason why Swedish 1982 born junior star Magnus Hedlund was never picked ina NHL Entry Draft. He has everything except size, Hedlund is just 5’8”. Let’s choose anotherexample. New Jersey Devils’ blueliner Brian Rafalski had to sign with the Devils as a freeagent, he also wasn’t selected in the draft. After spending years in Finland he opened theeyes of many when he showed that also a defenseman who doesn’t posess prototypical NHLsize can compete well at this highest level. The next one who could follow his example isVsetin’s 1986 born smallish star, Lubomir Stach.

Born in Vsetin, Czech Republic, Lubomir started playing hockey there when the city was justknown for regional hockey and not for being the mighty perennial Extraleague champion. Themain force which brought him to the game was his dad, even if he played soccer and not hockey.But instead of bringing his son to the ball, he brought him to the ice, skates, stick and puck.Lubomir seemed to like the game very much and when he started his career at 6, he felt verycomfortable on the ice. He has a talent for sports and hockey suited him well. Lubomir wasamong the best skaters on the team soon and also showed Read more»

Welcome to the first installment of the Cub report, a weeklylook at the North American prospects of the Boston Bruins. In our firstinstallment, we’re going around the leagues to catch up on the young Bruin cubs.

WHL

Jiri Jakes has been hot asof late. In the last 5 games, the rugged Czech winger has tallied 3 goals, 2assists, and 14 penalty minutes. The Brandon Wheat Kings are currently tied with the Regina Pats for first place in the WHL’s eastern division heading into the final week of the regular season.

It looks as though the injury bughas once again bitten Seattle Thunderbird winger Darren McLachlan. The rugged forward appears to be out for the remainder of the season with ashoulder injury. The second last place Thunderbirds will oppose either the Portland Winter Hawks or Spokane Chiefs in a best-of-seven first round series in the WHL playoffs.

Shaone Morrisonn ended the Kamloops Blazers 0-29 Power play drought,scoring on a 5-on-3 opportunity against the Moose Jaw Warriors. Morrisonn,whomissed action with a concussion after taking a stiff check from Tri-City RWScott Kelman back in January, was selected to play in the WHL all-star game butwas replaced by Seattle Thunderbird rearguard Matt Spiller.

Blazers tough guy Colton Orr has yet to return to action after breaking his hand during his first game of the season. The Blazers have lostfour straight games for the first time this season.

The 2002 Canadian Hockey League regular season wraps up in the next fewdays, with a full slate of games as the CHL playoffs draw near.

Playoff berths are still up for grabs in all three leagues as the OntarioHockey League ends regular season play Sunday, while the Quebec Major JuniorHockey League and the Western Hockey League end their regular seasonschedules on Tuesday.

Playoff action in all three leagues will begin late next week. The OHL isscheduled to start March 21 while the WHL and the QMJHL will begin firstround games the next night. You can follow all of the playoff races at theofficial website of the CHL, www.chl.ca.

Listed below are the full schedules of all remaining games in the threeleagues as we head into the final few days of the regular season. On Mondaythe final Bank of Montreal MasterCard CHL Top 10 ranking will be announced,as there will be just eight CHL games slated for Tuesday night and none onMonday.

The three league champions will join the host Guelph Storm at the 2002MasterCard Memorial Cup, May 18-26, 2002, at the Guelph Sports andEntertainment Centre. If Guelph wins the OHL title, then the OHL finalistswill also participate to ensure a four-team tournament.

Remember to follow all of the action leading up to the 2002 MasterCardMemorial Cup at the official website of the CHL, www.chl.ca, with a newMasterCard Memorial Cup section starting next week.

Coming on Tuesday, March 19th, Hockey’s Future is proud to be part of a hosted chat with USA Hockey Asst. Coach Lou Vairo. To take part in this free chat, please follow the banner on the top of Hockey’s Future.

The chat will take place at noon Easter time, and will be moderated by the former NHL Sr. VP of Corporate Communications Arthur Pincus.

To take part, you will need speakers with your computer and any questions you may have. This is an exciting opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at the Olympics in Salt Lake City.

With the American Hockey League’s stretch run in full swing, many of theHouston Aeros are fighting to keep their spot in the Minnesota Wildorganization.

According to The Houston Chronicle, one of the toughest decisions the Wildwill face involves newcomer Tony Virta, who leads the Aeros with 55 points.Virta’s contract includes an option that will allow Minnesota theopportunity to renew over the summer.

“I would not exercise the option unless I thought he could play at the NHLlevel,” said Wild GM Doug Risebrough. “I’m trying to look at our lineup andfind a way to say, ‘This guy deserves a chance,’ because he has beenarguably the best player (in Houston).”

Aeros goaltender Jamie McLennan is an unrestricted free agent this summer,and has spent the entire season in Houston while Manny Fernandez and DwayneRoloson have been strong between the pipes for the parent club. If he isn’tmoved before the March 19th trade deadline, he will have the opportunity tosign with another NHL club this off-season.

Approximately 50 percent of the Wild’s 50-man roster is under contract fornext season. That leaves some very important decisions ahead for theNational Hockey League club, as they will have to decide who is staying, whois leaving, and who will be arriving.

Crucial time of year

Nine of the Aeros’ 13 remaining games will be played against West Divisionrivals Chicago, Milwaukee, Utah and Grand Rapids, including a crucial twogame homestand on Thursday and Friday against Utah, a team they lost 6-2 onRead more»